Door latching mechanism



April 7, 1934. A. B. ELLERY 1,955,118

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1932 INVENTOR ARTHUR .23. ELLERYATTO R N EYS Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOORLATCHING MECHANISM Application September 1'7, 1932, Serial No. 633,631

3 Claims.

This invention relates to door latching mechanisms and while it isparticularly designed and intended for automobile doors, it will beapparent that the principles of the invention may be more generallyapplied.

The object of the invention is to improve upon the striker plate withthe purpose of obviating squeaks due to the rubbing of the latch againstthe face of the striker plate. The striker plate is constructed so thata thin fihn of lubricant is applied to the face of the contactingmembers which will serve to eliminate the objectionable squeaking, butthe construction is so designed that an excess of lubricant is avoided,just sufficient being supplied at all times to accomplish the purpose ofthe invention. In other constructions in which lubricant is applied tothe door latching devices there has been danger of getting too much oilon the parts which will soil the clothes. The present constructionobviates this objection for the contacting surfaces are of such naturethat oil will not be discharged therefrom but will be retained, and yetthe parts will be sulficiently lubricated.

In the drawing in which the best known or preferred form of theinvention is disclosed,

Figure l is a sectional view through a latched door showing the latchand striker plate in engaged position;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the striker plate removedfrom the door.

In the drawing 1 represents the door frame or car body and 2 the door,the former carrying the fixed striker plate 3 and the latter the usualspring-operated bolt 4. The striker plate is shown with the usualprimary detent 5 and the main detent 6, which is located at the innerend of the plate, being engaged by the vertical face of the bolt.

The improvement constituting the present invention consists in locatingin the face of the main detent a body which covers the greater portionof the face thereof, and Winch carries within itself a supply oflubricant, which is applied to the face of the latch solely by therubbing contact of the latch on the striker plate. For this purpose itis preferred to employ a block of wood or other solid and absorbentmaterial 8, which is seated in a recess or pocket 9 in the face of thestriker plate, preferably in such fashion that it can be removed andreplaced easily should occasion require. For this purpose the socket orrecess is preferably dovetailed and the block slipped into place, beingheld by contact with the ,frame of the car and the outer rib 10.

A piece of ash or similar hard absorbent Wood has been used effectivelyfor the purpose and this wood is preferably saturated with oil before itis put in position. Other hard but absorbent materials may be used. Ifdesired the upper surface of the striker plate may be provided with asmall oil hole 12 through which the oil in the Wood may be replenished.

In operation the latch 4 bears against the lubricating block 8 and aslight film of oil will be deposited on the face of the latch. Thisprevents squeaking and wear of the parts. The oil will also bedistributed in a slight degree over the surface of the striker plate asthe door is operated, but the amount carried by the latch is necessarilylimited and will not be in sufiicient quantities to soil the clothing.As the lubricating surface extends over substantially the entire bearingface of the striker plate and constitutes the wearing surface, itsaction will be more satisfactory than previous devices intended for thesame general purpose.

t is to be noted that the block 8 is spaced inwardly from the corner ofthe striker plate defined by rib 10 which is the corner over which thelatch rides into latched engagement with the striker plate and is of theusual comparatively hard wear-resisting, non-chipping metal of the restof the striker plate, this corner of metal preventing rapid wear of thewood or equivalent insert for retaining the oil.

It will be appreciated that while the description and drawing of theinvention have been detailed, such details are not essential to theinvention which may be changed or modified without departing therefrom.The block of absorbent and oil retentive material may be located in thelatch although the construction shown is preferred.

What is claimed is:

1. In a door latching mechanism, a striker plate having a surface forengagement by a latch, said surface having a recess therein open alongone side and defined along its other side and its ends by flanges,certain ones of which have portions that overhang marginal parts of therecess, and a relative hard lubricant retentive element insertable intothe recess through its open side, said element being held in said recessby said flanges and by the attachment of said plate to a door frame.

2. In a door latching mechanism, a striker plate having a side surfacewith detents therein and an end surface for engagement by a latch, saidend surface having a recess therein that is open along that side of theplate opposite said first mentioned side, said recess being definedalong its other side and both ends by flanges,

insertion by said overhanging portion of said flanges.

3. A door latching mechanism comprising a striker plate having a planecontact surface for the latch, said plate having a dovetailed recess insaid surface and a block of absorbent oil retentive wood held in saidrecess by the attachment of the plate to the door frame.

ARTHUR B. ELLERY.

